Author Topic: FINISHED HORSEBOW - BUILD (what laminations for a Fibreglass horse bow) (Read 6680 times)

globalmark · « **on:** March 22, 2019, 06:34:08 PM »

Just changed the heading as uploaded lots pics of the build - basically finished .
Ended Up with a 60" bow tip to tip (unstrung) - 42lbs @ 30"
4 Parellel Laminations ( x2 glass 1mm , x1 English Oak 2mm thick, x1 unknown hardwood -mahogany or a cedar looking thing, Handle oak , ash, slither of maple - Siyahs are same unknown wood with slither of bamboo , horn nock plates and glass on the sides)
58 1/2" nock to nock unstrung
String approx 58 3/4" continous Loop 14 strands of D55
Smooth -on Glued

I would like to Make a composite horse bow like a SALUKI or Attila or similar -
Glass
laminations
glass
+ Siyahs

Maybe approx 54" long -
35-50lbs
i draw approx 30" but not super important as I am more interested in making
Glass i have is 1mm x 38mm - so will use this

Just making for Fun - have made recurves before and also Bamboo Horsebow
so just need some approx dimensions.

how many laminations - whats a good width or thickness for the bow/laminations and are the laminations Tapered like in recurves and laminated longbows ?
do you need power lams or anything special ?
any info helpful or a link anyone hads found for a build along ..
Thanks Mark

KenH · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2019, 10:14:44 PM »

As a wild ass guess, I'd same something on the order of .25" to .30" total stack thickness. For starters just use parallel lams, don't mess with tapers. I'd stick with 1.5" wide except at the fades make the handle 1" wide, and a shoulder to siyahs about 1/2" wide where they glue onto the limbs tapering out to 5/16" wide at the nock ends. I'd make it more or less like an Ottoman bow, but without the crab curves, just an inch or so of reflex from the handle to the siyahs, and the siyahs about 4" from the back.

This will be a test bow, so you don't need fabulous woods or anything. Get it glued up and finished out, more or less. Then take draw weight measurements and plug it into the Stack Calculator. Then your second bow of the same design will be darn close on the draw weight desired...

globalmark · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2019, 04:54:55 AM »

Hi KenH

Thanks for the reply -
Great info gives me something to work off of as you say it’s a test how just for fun really - So thanks for those details much appreciated
If and when I get something done I will try and post more info .
Regards Mark

globalmark · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2019, 04:54:36 PM »

Hi Guys

few Pictures of the Horsebow Build if anyone interested -
Made a form
made some timber strips just under 2mm thick each
glued 1st glass to 1st strip
glued on Handles and Siyahs

globalmark · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2019, 04:58:21 PM »

couple more Glue up handle and Siyah pics
one of the Timber Laminations - scrapped with saw blade for better glue surface
use of Bike tube to clamp siyahs on
heat cupboard (for laundry but works for bows)

globalmark · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2019, 05:03:22 PM »

Halfway through final Glue - last lamination above handle and above Siyah and top glass
out of clamps - pressure strips on top made from old worktop laminate
ready to clean up and shape
Siyah after glue removal
table saw cuts to start shaping Siyahs - rest by HAND
Handle shaping

globalmark · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2019, 05:12:49 PM »

Handle shape
inlay Horn to side of Siyahs for strength
finished inlays

Thats all till get more done
hope enjoy Mark

Anyone interested 60" bow , 2x 1mm glass 38mm wide , 1 oak laminate just under 2mm , 1 not sure "cedar or some tropical hardwood just under 2mm laminate, Handle is Ash oak maple elm - i think approx 12'' long , Siyahs same unknown hardwood as Laminate approx 12 long) , white line in Siyahs is Moso Bamboo - had tiny piece left , Buffalo horn on Nock areas .. Smooth-on glued all
Form was some old 38mm thick MDF countertop i had removed old laminate on it top and put on the edge (same laminate used to make pressure strips)

KenH · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2019, 07:36:44 PM »

Nice looking job so far. I never would have put an arrow shelf on a horse bow -- just wasn't done -- they shot off the hand with a glove protecting the bow hand.

ztontonz · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2019, 01:36:43 AM »

Nice job Mark!
I can’t wait to see it strung!
How are the glue lines looking? It looks like you had to use a lot of shims to press the handle area.
Love your oven

globalmark · « **Reply #9 on:** April 01, 2019, 03:47:53 AM »

Hi Guys

Thanks - I know arrow shelf not on horse bow but also not made with fibreglass also so thought have some fun made a small one -
Maybe next time make a horn and Sinew bow with correct handle .. maybe ??

Glue lines all look great all tight and NO airbubbles below the glass all good .
Handle - not many shims just used couple cut off bits make sure that bend is well seated as was not quite there with just the inner tube bands so though would just make sure - probably overkill but why not , prefer a good glue joint if can .

Thanks Mark

KenH · « **Reply #10 on:** April 01, 2019, 08:00:09 PM »

@Globamark -- if you're serious about a wood-horn-sinew composite, I can put you in touch with Mike Keswick, a UK builder of many successful composite bows, who I know through the Asian Traditional Archery Research Network.

globalmark · « **Reply #11 on:** April 02, 2019, 04:18:42 AM »

Hi KenH

Thanks for that offer - at the moment no rush as not sure when I will make one but definately would like to make one ONE day .
But if you have some contact details I can maybe contact him when I am ready ..

thanks Mark

Flem · « **Reply #12 on:** April 02, 2019, 10:41:07 AM »

Wow, thats a lot of work! Very impressive, thanks for sharing.
I love that there are Bowyers from all over the world here. Kudos to everyone!

globalmark · « **Reply #13 on:** April 02, 2019, 03:19:42 PM »

Cleaned up Horn
End Profile not finished
Shaping added Glass to sides for extra strength
Glass shaped
String groove Layout
String Groove cut and started shaping / Sanding

globalmark · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2019, 03:24:14 PM »

Sanded Glass - finer and finer grade before polish
Sanding Sealer on wood
sealed and sanded glass to 1200 and polished cream
Handle
handle

Bvas · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2019, 05:43:23 PM »

Nice work!!
Awesome job on the inlays on the tips.

globalmark · « **Reply #16 on:** April 03, 2019, 01:15:43 PM »

Bow
Test string to check tiller
Tiller - looks almost perfect - but a glass and Tapered laminations makes it easy
temporary string test length on home made continuous loop string jig
14 loops of Dacron B55 (not sure if like this string as not waxy) - Layout
serving

globalmark · « **Reply #17 on:** April 03, 2019, 01:22:12 PM »

THANKS Bvas - Just those horn inlay strips used for arrow nocks and some offcuts of glass

Bow with continuous loop string fresh made on
Me doing Pull so all can see shape - not my usual Body position haha

pulls 38lbs @ 28" and 42.4lbs @ 30" and easy to pull also - just shot couple arrows so far seems fast and accurate

few more finishing details - more coats danish oil on the timber , bit hairy calf hide on arrow rest - will post pics when done

PS- DOES ANYONE know those String bridge that have on some horse bows - are they necessary or good idea , what's the purpose of them and is it worth putting a couple on ????

Buemaker · « **Reply #18 on:** April 03, 2019, 01:38:57 PM »

Looking good

KenH · « **Reply #19 on:** April 03, 2019, 10:29:42 PM »

Your design does not have very deeply recurved siyahs and so does not need string bridges, IMHO. However, you could always make a couple of simple bridges and duct-tape them in place to test the difference in the draw.

Glad my stack thickness suggestions worked out into a reasonable draw weight for your design.

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Author Topic: FINISHED HORSEBOW - BUILD (what laminations for a Fibreglass horse bow) (Read 6680 times)

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